Johnny Ball favourite for Strictly Come Dancing axe

Johnny Ball is the favourite to be the first contestant evicted from Strictly Come Dancing, but bookmakers have also taken money on Michael Vaughan being the man to go.

Veteran children’s TV presenter Johnny received just 17 marks for his opening performance last week, meaning only Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton was below him on the leaderboard.

Johnny Ball could be the first contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing (PA)

Sportsmen and women have a good track record on Strictly and punters obviously expect her to improve on Saturday, as she is 20/1 to go.

Johnny is the 9/4 favourite with William Hill, ahead of former GMTV presenter Richard Arnold (5/2) and model Jerry Hall (9/2).

Michael made a mockery of predictions he would be the worst Strictly contestant by scoring 20 points in week one, but the ex-England cricket captain’s price to be the first to go has been backed in from 14/1 to 10/1.